Underground Anxiety

For some London commuters, riding the Underground is a tedious part of the daily grind. For riders with claustrophobia or anxiety disorders, it can be a source of dread.

Now a new London Underground map has been launched to help passengers suffering from claustrophobia or anxiety. The new design highlights routes commuters can take to avoid long stretches of tunnels, which mental health charities say cause some sufferers to avoid travelling on the Tube. Fifty-five per cent of the network is above ground, with only the Victoria and Waterloo & City lines wholly covered.

Nicky Lidbetter, chief executive of charity Anxiety UK, said: “For those with anxiety conditions such as panic attacks and claustrophobia, we know that travel by the Underground can be problematic and challenging. “This new map is an excellent resource for those wishing to avoid journeys where there are tunnels, serving as a great pre-journey planning aid and increasing access to public transport. I sincerely hope that the map will encourage those with claustrophobia and/or panic attacks who have previously avoided this form of public transport out of fear to reconsider their use of the Tube.”

About 10 per cent of people in the UK sometimes suffer claustrophobia, according to the NHS. Transport for London (TfL) director of customer strategy Mark Evers said: “Making the Tube network accessible for everyone is one of our top priorities. This new map is just one of the tools we have created in response to feedback from our customers on how we can make the transport network more accessible, making travelling easier and more comfortable for all our customers.”

In April TfL announced badges for people with hidden health conditions who needed a seat on trains and buses were to be permanently available – “please offer me a seat” badges were made available to riders with physical ailments that often go unnoticed. Riders who tested the program said it made 72 percent of their journeys easier. They follow the popular “baby on board” badges for expectant mothers.

Richard Lane, head of communications at disability charity Scope, said: “It’s great to see London Underground taking steps to make travelling easier for more people.”

In 1898, to widespread bemusement, a small Provincial Newspaper in an equally small town in the South West corner of Ireland sonorously warned the Czar of Russia that it knew what he was up to and he should be careful how he proceeded for “The Skibbereen Eagle” was wise to his game and in future would be keeping its eye on him! It is doubtful that Nicholas II, Emperor and Autocrat of All the Russias, even noticed the Eagle’s admonitions but as history soon proved he should have paid closer attention to the Eagle’s insightful opinions!

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